Free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton holds a Albert Pujols' jersey after he signed it for a fan on his way into a news conference at the ESPN Zone restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. Hamilton, formerly of the Texas Rangers, joins the Angels MLB baseball team after signing a $125 million, five-year contract.

What started as an early season slump has devolved into a full-fledged disaster for Josh Hamilton. The former Ranger is hitting .213/.269/.388 in 70 games with the Los Angeles Angels this season, and he was dropped to seventh in the LAA batting order Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, Hamilton went 0-for-5 while hitting into three double plays, accounting for eight outs by himself. Gonzalez reported that Hamilton was "showered by boos" by Angels fans that were "louder than when he was a visiting Rangers player, and louder than at any point during this nightmarish season."

Hamilton sympathized with the frustrated fans, telling Gonzalez, "I can't blame them." But he also brushed off the notion that he doesn't care, a feeling that's apparently gaining steam with certain factions of Angel fans.

“I’m not going to break my bat or do stuff like that on the field because you have kids watching,” Hamilton said. “If they don’t think I care, then they’re mistaken, because it hurts me more than it hurts anybody not to be performing. I’ve done it for years against the Angels, and now I’m a part of the Angels and I want to do it for the Angels. I’m just going to keep doing the best I can.”

Hamilton admitted it's been hard to stay upbeat during a slump that's lasted well into the season's third month.

“That’s the baffling part,” Hamilton said. “In the past, it’s either clicked at some point or you get a couple bloop hits and you kind of start moving in that direction. It goes back to the biggest thing, which is just being confident. And it’s tough to do when you’re not being successful.”

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.